What the heck is Biden's RAVE vote?

[Eurobabe]

Okay, so there is a VP poll in goddurn primaries. Someone is bashing Biden for his vote on "RAVE" for his being against crack or ecstasy parties?? Give me a fucking break. :eyes:

I don't condone recreational drug use, I think its escapist and weak. Medical marijuana yes - but I don't like the idea of some crack head or someone under the influence of illicit drugs getting behind the wheel and driving on the same road that I or my kids are on.

Sue me if that is too conservative for you. It's just how I feel. Sometimes I feel really out of step with some of the progressives/far left on certain issues, this is one of them.

:hi:

[PatSeg]

1. I remember this coming up periodically

when Joe was running. There was more to it, but I cannot recall the details anymore. There were complaints that the bill was passed without hearings, late at night. Also that anyone who "organizes an event or owns a venue where someone uses an illegal drug can be held liable for that drug use. Although expressly crafted and advanced as an attack on the rave culture, the bill's implications are frighteningly broad. It could be used against promoters of hemp fests, rock concert promoters or even -- in theory -- against professional sports franchises if fans are smoking joints in the stands."

http://www.talkleft.com/story/2003/04/11/191/77208


Generally, it is a pretty crappy bill with good intentions.

I am pretty much conservative when it comes to drugs as well, but feel our drug laws are counterproductive, much like prohibition was in the twenties. Harsh laws have not helped the problem and have filled our prisons to the max - 1 out of every 10 citizens is incarcerated, more than any other developed nation in the world.

[gateley]

2. Yeah --

and it's usually dopers who are up in arms about it.

I think most drug laws are useless - and tsegat cites a good comparison re: prohibition. People who are going use drugs will do it whether it's legal or not, and I can speak for myself who was pretty much fucked up from the time I was 13 until my mid 30's.

I think this one isn't the best of laws, either. It can net some innocent people and I think that it was enacted out of fear.

This is one of the FEW things that will always come up when Joe is mentioned.

[Eurobabe]

3. I know it is really a lose-lose situation

I think some of the drug laws are moronic, I just have this irrational fear of people being high and driving cars. My own issue :shrug: Really no different than DUIs.

And I hear from my daughter who does work with abused foster children who were born to crack-addicted mothers and were exposed to drug culture since birth, the stories are absolutely heartbreaking. :cry:

[gateley]

4. It's a very real fear --

and many crimes are committed as a result of addiction. But obviously the laws aren't stopping anyone from getting high.

Nor did they stop the mothers whose children your daughter works with.

I feel drug use is a symptom of feelings of helplessness, fear and poverty. Somehow that's what we need to address. It's a pretty pie-in-the-sky attitude, and until we can figure out how to do that, we gotta do what we can.

I DO think the tougher DUI laws have caused more people to think twice about driving drunk, which is a good thing. And those who are busted driving high (even on prescription meds) are subject to the same consequences.

It's such a complicated issue. Sigh.

[WheelWalker]

5. Drugs?

I don't do drugs, I am drugs.

- Salvador Dali

[gateley]

6. I've never heard that quote! It's great!! nt